MIS 430 Business Simulation and Modeling

Course syllabus for MIS 430A Business Simulation and Modeling Course description: Introduction to the use of computers in creating models of business systems. Deals with the methodology for designing and conducting computer simulation experiments using models of enterprises and socioeconomic systems. The course will expose students to the basic concepts of model choice and formulation including heuristic models and management games. Provides an introduction to selected simulation languages (e.g., SIMAN, GPSS and DYNAMO). Basic statistical tools and techniques required for simulation will also be covered. Approximately 50% of the course time will be devoted to the methodology and practice of simulation and the remaining time (50%) in lab sessions to gain a working knowledge of SIMAN IV and GPSS/PC, to design and develop PC based business simulations. Students will also be required to develop simulation models using BASIC and spreadsheets (LOTUS 1-2-3 and/or Quattro Pro). Emphasis will be placed on the interpretation of simulation outputs

Automatic programming of simulation models

The concepts of software engineering were used to improve the simulation modeling environment. Emphasis was placed on the application of an element of rapid prototyping, or automatic programming, to assist the modeler define the problem specification. Then, once the problem specification has been defined, an automatic code generator is used to write the simulation code. The following two domains were selected for evaluating the concepts of software engineering for discrete event simulation: manufacturing domain and a spacecraft countdown network sequence. The specific tasks were to: (1) define the software requirements for a graphical user interface to the Automatic Manufacturing Programming System (AMPS) system; (2) develop a graphical user interface for AMPS; and (3) compare the AMPS graphical interface with the AMPS interactive user interface